Newswise — SAN FRANCISCO (April 8, 2014) — Each year, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) recognizes a neurosurgeon who has made significant contributions to the neurosurgical specialty through leadership, service and dedication. In 2014, the AANS bestows Troy M. Tippett, MD, FAANS, with its highest member honor, the Harvey Cushing Medal. Dr. Tippett will receive the award during a presentation on April 8, 2014, during the 82nd AANS Annual Scientific Meeting, which takes place April 5-9, 2014 in San Francisco.

“Words cannot express how much I appreciate and love the AANS,” Dr. Tippett said. “To receive its highest award is one of the highlights of my life.”

Retiring from private-practice neurosurgery in Pensacola, Fla., Dr. Tippett remains heavily involved within the neurosurgical specialty arena, serving as the current President of the Neurosurgery Research and Education Foundation (NREF).

A former president of the AANS from 2009-2010, Dr. Tippett’s volunteer service also includes serving on the AANS Board of Directors from 2004-2007 followed by a one-year term as vice president and president-elect before serving as the organization’s president. From 2004-2007, Dr. Tippett also served as chair of the AANS/CNS Washington Committee. He also has served as president of the Florida Medical Association, the Neurosurgical Society of America, the Florida Neurosurgical Society and the Escambia County Medical Society.

Receiving his Medical Degree in 1969 from the University of Tennessee, Dr. Tippett went on to complete his internship at City of Memphis Hospitals and neurosurgery residency at the University of Tennessee Center for the Health Sciences in Memphis.

Media Representatives: The 2014 AANS Annual Meeting Press Kit includes releases on highlighted scientific research, AANS officer and award winners, National Neurosurgery Awareness Week, and other relevant information about this year’s program. Those releases also will be posted under the Media area on the 2014 AANS Annual Scientific Meeting website (http://www.aans.org/Annual Meeting/2014/Main/Media.aspx). If you would have interest in a topic related to neurosurgery or would like to interview a neurosurgeon — either onsite or via telephone — during this year’s event, please contact John Iwanski, AANS Director of Integrated Marketing and Website Communications, via the onsite press room at 415.978.3603 or email him at jai@aans.org.

About the 2014 AANS Annual Scientific Meeting: Attended by neurosurgeons, neurosurgical residents, medical students, neuroscience nurses, clinical specialists, physician assistants, allied health professionals and other medical professionals, the AANS Annual Scientific Meeting is the largest gathering of neurosurgeons in the nation, with an emphasis on the field’s latest research and technological advances. A record-breaking 1,321 scientific abstracts were presented for review at the 2014 AANS Annual Scientific Meeting, and the scientific presentations given at this year’s event represent cutting-edge examples of the incredible developments taking place within the field of neurosurgery. Additional information about the AANS Annual Scientific Meeting and the Meeting Program can be found at http://www.aans.org/Annual Meeting/2014/Main/Home.aspx.

Founded in 1931 as the Harvey Cushing Society, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) is a scientific and educational association with nearly 8,600 members worldwide. The AANS is dedicated to advancing the specialty of neurological surgery in order to provide the highest quality of neurosurgical care to the public. All active members of the AANS are certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons (Neurosurgery) of Canada or the Mexican Council of Neurological Surgery, AC. Neurological surgery is the medical specialty concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of disorders that affect the entire nervous system including the spinal column, spinal cord, brain and peripheral nerves. For more information, visit www.AANS.org.